OBJECTIVES The interpretation of studies on quality of life (QoL) after lung surgery is often difficult owing to the use of multiple instruments with inconsistent scales and metrics. Although a more standardized approach would be desirable, the most appropriate instrument to be used in this setting is still largely undefined. The aim of the study was to assess the respective ability of two vali...

When designing a study to compare the outcomes of an intervention, an essential step is the calculation of sample sizes that will allow a reasonable chance (power) of detecting a predetermined difference (effect size) in the outcome variable, at a given level of significance. Sample size is critically dependent on the proposed effect size: half the effect size and the sample size is quadrupled....

The authors conducted a retrospective study on the long term outcome (+/- 9 years) after instrumentation for thoracolumbar fractures. This study is probably unique in that it compares the surgical group with a control group of healthy volunteers, rather than with a group of conservatively treated patients. All classical outcome measures were used: ODI, RMDQ, VASSS, VAS, Denis Pain scale, SF-36 ...

The purpose was to compare and comment on use of the SF-36 and MOS-HIV instruments in studies of persons with HIV disease. Three medical information databases were searched to identify examples of HIV studies that included the MOS-HIV or SF-36. Thirty-nine and 14 published articles were identified for illustration in comparing the use of the MOS-HIV and SF-36 in HIV disease, respectively. Suppo...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychometric properties of two health status measures for adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD): Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). DESIGN (1) A cross-sectional survey of adults with treated or untreated GHD to assess reliability and validity of the questionnaires. (2) A randomized, placebo-controlled study of 3 months' GH wit...